US4844882A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Concentrated stabilized microbubble-type ultrasonic imaging agent
Assignee: GE Healthcare AS
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Filing: 1987-12-29
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Granted: 1989-07-04
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Expires: 2007-12-29
Abstract
Abstract A microbubble-type ultrasonic imaging agent is provided comprising a parenterally-administerable aqueous medium containing a dispersion of microspheres predominantly of diameters less than 10 microns, wherein the microspheres consist of gas microbubbles encapsulated with water-insolubilized biocompatible material. The imaging agent is characterized by having a concentration of greater than 100x106 microspheres per milliliter, and a stability such that this concentration is maintained for over 4 weeks at a temperature of 20 DEG to 25 DEG C.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth J. Widder
- 👤 Peter J. Westkaemper
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 10:03
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61K; A61K49/00; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/48; A61B8/481; A61K49/22; A61K49/222; A61K49/223; A61K9/00; A61K9/48; A61K9/50; A61K9/5005; A61K9/5021; A61K9/5052
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A concentrated, storable ultrasonic imaging agent, comprising an aqueous parenteral medium containing a dispersion of microspheres predominantly of diameters less than 10 microns, said microspheres consisting of gas microbubbles enclosed by solid walls formed from heat-insolubilized biocompatible material, said imaging agent having a homogeneously dispersed concentration of greater than 1×10 8 microspheres per milliliter, said microspheres being stable in said medium as evidenced by maintaining a concentration of greater than 1×10 8 microspheres per milliliter for over 4 weeks at a temperature of 20° to 25° C.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
A concentrated, storable ultrasonic imaging agent, comprising an aqueous parenteral medium containing a dispersion of microspheres predominantly of diameters less than 10 microns, said microspheres consisting of gas microbubbles enclosed by solid walls formed from heat-insolubilized biocompatible material, said imaging agent having a homogeneously dispersed concentration of greater than 1×10 8 microspheres per milliliter, said microspheres being stable in said medium as evidenced by maintaining a concentration of greater than 1×10 8 microspheres per milliliter for over 4 weeks at a temperature of 20° to 25° C.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The imaging agent of claim 1 in which said biocompatible material is a heat sensitive protein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The imaging agent of claims 1 or 2 in which at least 80% of said microspheres have diameters in the range from 1 to 9 microns.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The imaging agent of claim 1 in which said biocompatible material is human serum albumin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The imaging agent of claims 1 or 4 in which said gas is air.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
94 words
A concentrated, storable ultrasonic imaging agent comprising an aqueous parenteral medium containing a dispersion of microspheres at least 80% of which have diameters in the range of 1 to 9 microns, said microspheres consisting of gas microbubbles enclosed by solid walls formed from heat-insolubilized protein, said imaging agent having a homogeneously dispersed concentration of greater than 1×10 8 microspheres per milliliter, said microspheres being stabilized in said medium as evidenced by maintaining a concentration of greater than 1×10 8 microspheres per milliliter for over 4 weeks at a temperature of 20° to 25° C.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
94 words
A concentrated, storable ultrasonic imaging agent comprising an aqueous parenteral medium containing a dispersion of microspheres at least 80% of which have diameters in the range of 1 to 9 microns, said microspheres consisting of gas microbubbles enclosed by solid walls formed from heat-insolubilized protein, said imaging agent having a homogeneously dispersed concentration of greater than 1×10 8 microspheres per milliliter, said microspheres being stabilized in said medium as evidenced by maintaining a concentration of greater than 1×10 8 microspheres per milliliter for over 4 weeks at a temperature of 20° to 25° C.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The imaging agent of claim 6 in which said protein is human serum albumin and said gas is air.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The imaging agent of claims 6 or 7 in which said medium is an aqueous solution of the protein of the microsphere walls.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-07-03 | 1993-01-02 | 1993-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-07-03 | 1997-01-02 | 1997-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-07-03 | 2001-01-02 | 2001-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |